Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-07-02
Aztec nunBnlies EXhumed.

ZATION BROUGHT TO LIGHT.
A telegram from san Francisco, Cal, says: A
cave In the Sierra Madres recently gave up some
extremely interesting dead. party Of mining
prospectors exhumed from a cavern several Won
derfuny preserved Aztec mummies. Silent wit
neSSe5 OF prehistoric civilization in America.
These miinmies have been in this city some days
In charge Of Sir. Docking, from whose care, 1t Is
where they will undoubtedly become the property
OF some antiquarian institution. Unlike the Egyp-
t1an mummies, which disintegrate upon any con-
siderable exposure TO the air, these deSiccated
specimens OF humanity are so remarkably well
preserved that they will probably remain in their
present condition Indefinitely.
DISCOVERY OF THE BODIES.
The bodies were found in a cavern not far from
the banks OF the ella River the slope Of one Of
the branches OF the Sierra Madre range In Arizona
about3O miles from the Mexican boundary. The
place OF Sepu1ture was securely sealed with &C.
ment that was difficult to penetrate. Great ex-
element was caused by the discovery among The
Indians or the nelghborhood, who, believing that
the mummieS were the mortal remains Of some Of
their ancient deltieS, would fain have prevented
their removal The strange treasure trOve was
taken away only after several SkrmfSheS. Who
were they? That is question that will probably
never be answered. What were they? This QueS-
tion Is answered in the taken for the preser-
walton OF their bodies and the skill with which
form and feature were preserved to last for ages.
They were evidently people OF rank among peO-
pie of wonderful character.
GIANT OF OLD.
One of them must have been almost a giant in
life The hair still adhereS to hts SCALP while the
cartilages OF the nose and ears so nearly per-
feet that only close inspection reveals their i'm
projections. The eyebrows are still distinct and
well defined, while between the compressed lips
the cOrk-like tongue and glstenfng teeth are
plainly visible. The flesh on the bones Is, OF
course, considerably shrunken. but the muscles
stand out in bold relief and the features still pre-
serve the unmiStakable characteristics or ancient
Aztec physiognOmy, which is, indeed, strongly
marked in all the bodies in the collection. In size
strictly correspond with the description given by
antIquartans OF the prehistoric Aztec race.
Then there is remarkably interesting grOup-a
mother and female child. the latter apparently
about four years old. They were wrapped in one
Shroud. The delicate nneaments Of the mothers
face are clearly dstinguishable while the perfect
preservation OF the Child cannot but be mystery
TO scientists.
PERHAPS AN AZTEC BELLE.
Still another or the bodies is that OF woman
who may have been an Aztec BELLE She was
young and her silky flowing hair is in perfect
state OF preservation. Her small delicate hands
and feet, with their long fine nails lead one TO be-
neve that she must have been one OF the ariStoc-
racy OF that ancient commonwealth. The beautf-
rul cOlOrtng OF her ShrOud, remnants of which are
still visible. show that her contemporaries were
by no means ignorant Of the arts or dyeing and
weaving. Close beside her, and wrapped in a
Shroud OF similar texture and color, were found
the remains or a Stalwart man, who might have
been, for aught We know, her husband, father or
lover